Three British-designed long-range strike weapons have successfully completed flight testing just months after the competition that produced them was launched, marking a significant milestone in Project Brakestop, the MOD’s fast-track programme to develop low-cost, ground-launched strike capability for Ukraine.
Launched by the Ministry of Defence’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, Project Brakestop set deliberately ambitious requirements: a range of at least 500km, a 225kg warhead, speeds exceeding 600km/h, a target unit cost of around £400,000 excluding the warhead, and the ability to produce at least 20 weapons per month within months of a production order. Twenty-seven bids were received when the competition opened. Following technical assessment and competitive pitch sessions in February 2025, six UK companies were awarded prototype contracts worth around £5 million each to design, build and prepare systems for testing within seven months.
By December 2025, three suppliers had progressed to flight testing at the MOD Hebrides Range, managed by QinetiQ under the Long-Term Partnering Agreement. Those three are MBDA UK, a long-standing strategic partner of the MOD and producer of Storm Shadow; MGI Engineering, a UK SME with over 25 years in Formula 1 motorsport for whom Brakestop represents a first defence contract; and Rotron Aerospace, a UK SME with an established MOD relationship including the Dismounted Soldier Close Combat and Defence programme. Each company has now been awarded a Phase 2 follow-on contract worth around £15 million to further develop and produce 15 improved effectors apiece, alongside launchers and support vehicles.
The pace of delivery has drawn direct comment from government. Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP described the programme as proof that “UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed”, characterising it as a demonstration of “the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare.”
For the UK defence supply chain, the programme carries a clear signal. Project Brakestop has validated a competition model that moves from requirement to flight test in under a year, at fixed contract values accessible to SMEs, and with production rate obligations built into the requirement from the outset. The inclusion of an F1-derived engineering SME alongside an established prime reflects a deliberate broadening of the strike supply base, and the Phase 2 scope covering effectors, launchers and support vehicles indicates further sub-tier opportunity ahead of overseas trials, including in Ukraine.
Businesses with capabilities relevant to this programme should monitor the following areas for further procurement activity:
- Long-range strike system design, integration and production
- Propulsion, guidance and warhead sub-system supply
- Launcher and support vehicle engineering
- Explosive ordnance development and testing support
- Range instrumentation, trials support and flight test services
- Production scale-up and manufacturing readiness for high-rate effector output
Image: William Barton Shutterstock.com
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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